Canada Research Chair in Agriculture and Environment

Finding the balance between agronomic and environmental outcomes

Dr. Alex Koiter

Land acknowledgement

  • As environmental scientists we focus on the health and function of the environment
  • Agriculture is tied to colonialism and has contributed to the loss and degradation of land held by Indigenous peoples
  • We work, learn, educate, and conduct research on traditional territories
  • The land, including the soil, water, air, and plants and animals, we appreciate so much also includes the history of its people
  • Brandon University, and the surrounding area, are the traditional homelands of the Dakota, Anishinabek, Oji-Cree, Cree, Dene and Metis peoples

Why Agriculture and Environment

  • Agriculture is a major source of food, fibre, and fuel
  • 7% of our total land area
    • 80% situated in the prairie region
  • Cash receipts totalling more $90 billion (Stats Can)

Proportion of agricultural land in Canada (AEI, 2011)

Why Agriculture and Environment

  • Environmental impacts on and from agriculture

Soil Quality Compound Index (AEI, 2011)

Background

  • Terms like regenerative/sustainable agriculture and soil/plant health are being used more frequently
    • Recognizes the importance and desire to view agriculture as more than the sum of its parts
    • Intersection of the four spheres

My Approach

  • Four interconnected spheres of the environment within the broader context of the many facets of agriculture
  • Multi- and inter-disciplinary research team

Why Agriculture and Environment

Current related CRC’s

Out of ~2,000 CRC’s in the ‘Find an Expert’ only 24 have agriculture listed as a keyword; 19 if only NSERC is considered

Uniqueness of Agriculture and Environment

Environmental impacts on and from agriculture

5-year Plan

Objective 1: Name and brand the research group

  • Named for a shared objective/goal
  • Create a logo
  • Create accompanying website

Objective 5: Write a research group manual

  • Will use the Faylab Lab Manual as a template
    • Code of conduct
    • Expectations
    • On- and off-boarding
    • Available resources

Shared and mutual understanding

Efficient and high quality science in a happy and safe work environment (Kovacs, 2022)

Potential name

Brandon University Centre for Agriculture and Environment

5-year Plan

Objective 3: Develop research network

  • Funding agencies are looking for multi- and inter-disciplinary projects
  • Identify needed expertise
    • Academic institutions
    • Government
    • NGO’s
    • Indigenous groups
    • Industry

5-year Plan

Objective 6: Developing relationships with Indigenous groups

  • Taking the time to foster meaningful relationships through trust building
    • Listen and learn
  • Continued learning about decolonization, Indigenization, and reconciliation
    • Self study, community involvement, and other activities
    • Incorporate into research, teaching, and service

5-year Plan

Objective 4: Secure external funding

  • Various sources will be explored
    • NSERC strategic and discovery
    • NSERC Alliance or MITACs with NGO or industry partners
    • Industry (e.g., Beef Cattle Research Council, Manitoba Crop Alliance)

5-year Plan

Objective 2: Purchase field and lab equipment

  • Identify that is currently available at BU and through collaborators
  • Be strategic
    • Diverse projects
    • Diverse user base
    • Training opportunities
  • Create standard operating procedures (SOPs)
    • Quick guide
    • Common troubleshooting tips
    • Maintenance
  • Cost recovery
    • Consumables
    • Wear and tear

5-year Plan

Objective 7: Develop open and reproducible work flows

  • From field/lab to dissemination and everything in between!
  • Making the data set, methods, and interpretation:
    • Available
    • Accessible
    • Transparent
    • Reproducible

The six core principles of Open Science; Gallaher et al. 2020 Nat Ecol Evol

5-year Plan

Objective 7: Developing new projects

  • people (research group), network & partnerships, funding, equipment, data infrastructure
  • AWESOME

Brandon University Strategic Research Plan

Brandon University Mamaawiiatooshke aakihkiwiin Strategic Plan